Today’s Bike Ride Headline: Wind Gusts Riding Over The Lake

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I got carried away working on my computer and a website delaying the start of today’s bike ride. I saw the time and got ready to ride. When I checked the weather before leaving I saw the big story for today was going to be the wind. And that wind was strong. I chose my Atascocita – Walden – Spanish Cove route going south and east. The wind was from the north following a front that moved through earlier this morning with some rain. The streets dried quickly thanks to that wind. I probably could’ve started the ride around 10:30 but I didn’t push start until 12:17 PM as I pedaled the Cervelo Caledonia onto the street.

As I rode through Kingwood on my way to W. Lake Houston Parkway I could feel the wind but the trees and houses buffered the strong gusts. Because it was 74 degrees I opted to wear shorts, a long sleeve jersey and a short sleeve jersey on top. The first 15 minutes were chilly from the wind and shade as I warmed up. From then I was cool but not as chilled. The chilliest part was riding east over Lake Houston with the wind gusts cooled by the water. Overall weather conditions: start 74 degrees, 52% humidity, dew point 55, mostly cloudy, wind N 21 mph gusts 28 mph; finish 74 degrees, 52% humidity, dew point 55, mostly cloudy, wind N 24 mph gusts 30 mph.

I needed 44 miles as I began the ride to reach my 650 mile goal for March. Today I rode 35.43 miles getting me with 9 miles of that number. This was about the average distance for this route as I stayed pretty close to usual roads and streets though I was tempted to go off the route a couple of times. In Spanish cove I rode a little farther west to see what the workers were doing but it wasn’t enough to make a difference. they were working on a gas line.

Riding east over Lake Houston with the wind gusts coming one after another was very hard. It was so strong that I had to lean the Cervelo to the left to compensate and when a gust hit the bike would be pushed to the right. I had to keep a firm grip on the handle bars to maintain control. I was relieved when I got across the lake. I wondered how it would be riding back towards the west.

The ride west over the lake was about as opposite conditions from what I expected. The wind was not in my face but from the right rear quarter as a tailwind. The gusts seemed to push me forward and I used that to keep my speed around 18 to mph. I stopped on the west side to take a screenshot of the weather and saw the gusts increased to 30 mph from 28 mph when I started.

Biking back to Kingwood through Atascocita Shores and Kings River the trees and houses held some of the wind at bay. Riding north over the river was hard. I was glad to finish at 3:03 PM and get away from the wind.

Exploring Texas on Two Wheels: Bicycling News – March 27, 2023

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Man riding bicycle with his child struck by oncoming vehicle in NW Harris County

Ana Gonzalez | www.click2houston.com

HARRIS COUNTY – An investigation is underway after a bicyclist carrying a child was struck by an oncoming vehicle in northwest Harris County Monday morning, deputies with Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office said.

Deputies responded to an auto-pedestrian crash in the 7800 block of Oak Moss Drive near Theiss Mail Route shortly before 8 a.m. …

Upcoming Rides

Chasing Watts | chasingwatts.com

Tuesday Night Shop Ride | Pearland Bicycles Tuesday, March 28, 2023 @ 6:00 PM

TUE Group Ride | MTHCC Tuesday, March 28, 2023 @ 5:30 PM

Trek Memorial Tuesday V2 Tuesday, March 28, 2023 @ 7:00 PM

PW – Tuesday Tuesday, March 28, 2023 @ 6:00 PM

Trek West U Bridges Tuesday, March 28, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

Morning SBux Crew (Tues) from Dulles Tuesday, March 28, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

Urban South HTX Taco Tuesday Tuesday, March 28, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

Trek Memorial Tues Tuesday, March 28, 2023 @ 7:00 PM

CA Tuesday Brittmoore- Hempstead Loop Tuesday, March 28, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

UBG 26 mile Wednesday Night Wednesday, March 29, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

The Boot REBOOT Wednesday, March 29, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

NWCC Hump Day Ride Wednesday, March 29, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

The Boot REBOOT Wednesday, March 29, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

Thursday Night Shop Ride | Pearland Bicycles Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 6:00 PM

MCC Thursday Morning Ride Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 6:30 AM

Bridgeland Ride Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

Urban West Thursday Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

Morning SBux Crew (Thurs) Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

Beginners Ride | Trek West U Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 6:00 PM

Look Pro Go Slow Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 7:00 PM

Trek West U Bridges Thursday, March 30, 2023 @ 6:30 PM

Cycling Addicks – The Even Crazier, More EPIC Ride! – CHANGED START LOC Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 5:30 AM

FBKR Bellville Loop Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 7:30 AM

JCC HILL RIDE BELLVILLE MASSIVE Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 7:30 AM

NWCC Zube park Rides Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

NWCC Coffee Ride Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

RRR-Saturday Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 9:00 AM

RRR-Saturday Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

I Cycle Sat Morning Road Ride Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

FBISD Education Expedition by Zuhne – Ultra Route (83 miles) Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 7:30 AM

EaDo Bike Co – Hair of the Cat Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 7:00 AM

44 Mile Sat Group Ride | Pearland Bicycles Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 7:30 AM

UBG Saturday – 23 miles Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

UBG Sunday – 35-50 miles Sunday, April 2, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

Trek Taco Ride Benefitting Cycle Houston Sunday, April 2, 2023 @ 7:30 AM

SUN Social Ride | BikeHouston Sunday, April 2, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

JL Sunday 30 Miler from PJs Sunday, April 2, 2023 @ 7:00 AM

Monday 25 at Trek Katy (meeting at Old Chicago Pizza) Sunday, April 2, 2023 @ 6:00 PM

Sunday Miles 2.0 Sunday, April 2, 2023 @ 7:30 AM

Alkek Velodrome Weekly Newsletter

Stuart Gardner, Program Director | shoutout.wix.com

… USAC Race Weekends

We have 4 weekends lined up for 2023, each will have racing on Sat, Sun & Tues. Reg opens for these events on March 1st!

April 15th-18th

Atomic Age Based TT State Championships, Masters & Junior State Keirin Championships, Elite Points Race State Championships & more! – Reg

May 13th-16th

Atomic TT Series #1, Elite Keirin State Championships, Masters & Juniors Scratch Race State Championships & more! – Reg

June 3rd-6th

Atomic TT Series #2, Elite Scratch Race State Championships, Masters and Junior Points Race State Championships, Madison State Championships & more! – Reg

Sept 2nd-5th

Atomic Elite TT State Championships, International Omnium and Match Sprint State Championships & more! – Reg …

Upcoming Rides

Fort Worth Bicycling Association | www.fwbaclub.org

Rusty Romp Tuesday Edition
Tue, March 28, 2023 9:00 AM
Benbrook YMCA, 1899 Winscott Road, Benbrook, TX 76126
Chisholm Rusty Chain Gang Ramble
Tue, March 28, 2023 9:00 AM
4936 McPherson Blvd, Fort Worth, TX
Rusty Romp
Thu, March 30, 2023 9:00 AM
Benbrook YMCA, 1899 Winscott Road, Benbrook, TX 76126
Burleson and Beyond
Thu, March 30, 2023 9:00 AM
Spokes Parking Lot, 155 W Bufford St., Burleson, TX
Rusty Romp Tuesday Edition
Tue, April 04, 2023 9:00 AM
Benbrook YMCA, 1899 Winscott Road, Benbrook, TX 76126
Chisholm Rusty Chain Gang Ramble
Tue, April 04, 2023 9:00 AM
4936 McPherson Blvd, Fort Worth, TX
Rusty Romp
Thu, April 06, 2023 9:00 AM
Benbrook YMCA, 1899 Winscott Road, Benbrook, TX 76126

Southern Tier 2023

By Sharon Greenwood | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 23: Marfa Layover: No schedule

Monday March 27, 2023, 4 miles (6 km) – Total so far: 1,148 miles (1,848 km) A no alarm, sleep in day! Crawled out of the tent at 7:50 with the sunrise. Coffee available in the reception building at 7:30 so that’s where I headed. A few other riders were there and after some coffee time, we hauled some breakfast foods from the trailer to the courtyard. Breakfast is served. Afterwards, the morning was spent cleaning my bike and chain and using the inside shower to wash myself and a few pieces of bike wear. Strung up a close line for drying then wandered around the grounds to check out this cool music/camping venue. Hopped on the bike to go explore downtown Marfa. The Hotel Paisano is notable for …

cActus cAve Houston, Texas

Nate Eguia | strava.com

Got asked by a Karen to keep it down.

1st hoke 2023 Montgomery County, Texas

Shannon Wyatt | strava.com

Belated NBD – Marathon Reward Montgomery County, Texas

Will Wylie | strava.com

LPT – Don’t buy a bike when you don’t have time to ride it.

Decided to replace my previous generation Canyon Aeroad with a new one. Absolutely loving the 12-SPD Ultegra DI2, integrated bar, staggered wheelset and the more relaxed fit.

Now I just need to get my ass in shape to ride it as fast as it wants to go.

Texas Biking from Twitter

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Yapping Dog, Re-Calculating Route At Detour On The Way To Woodbranch

Texbiker.net Posted on by

No bike races to watch or delay today’s bike ride. The early morning fog and clouds slowed the temperature increase and the start of my ride though. I rolled out at 11:45 AM on my Cervelo Caledonia following a route I’ve rode twice before. In the video I said three times before but my memory was wrong.

The Porter- Woodbranch – Valley Ranch route goes north through Kingwood and Woodridge Forest to the US59/I-69 northbound frontage road. I stayed on the frontage road until TX 99 where I went right to Loop 494 and then north. At Payne road and Loop 494 I turned left back to the frontage road. I was supposed to turn right at Via Principal Parkway but the road was closed because Union Pacific was working on the railroad crossing. I detoured to Roman Forest Blvd. and took Tavola Drive south to Via Principal Parkway to get back on the route. Via Principal ends at Aragoste Parkway where I turned left riding to Roman Forest Blvd. I crossed over Roman Forest Blvd. into Woodbranch Village on Linwood Drive. The streets in Woodbranch Village not marked in some places so I turned on the Bolt map screen to make my way to Railroad Avenue. I woke some dogs as I rode to Railroad Avenue but none came to the road. Going left on Railroad Avenue I returned to Roman Forest Blvd. to go under US59/I-69 and onto the south bound frontage road. Stopping at the FM 1485 traffic light I continued south to Valley Ranch Parkway which took me to FM 1314. Riding across FM 1314 I entered Old Sorters Road then Briar Berry Lane and then into Oakhurst. Kingwood Place was next before I returned to the US59/I-69 frontage road to make the u-turn at Kingwood Drive. A short ride north and I turned right on Kingwood Parc to get back to Loop 494. The construction lanes on Loop 494 are still not opened and after waiting for traffic I rode onto them and north to Kings Manor. It wasn’t a long ride through Kings Manor and back into Kingwood. That is about 4 miles from the end of the ride which I finished at 2:38 PM riding 37.11 miles in the middle of the previous two rides mileage.

3-27-2023 SportTracks Ride History Porter-Woodbranch-Valley Ranch
3-27-2023 SportTracks Ride History Porter-Woodbranch-Valley Ranch

While the sky was overcast and the temperature slow to rise the light wind was nice versus the strong winds from last week. For a change the ride back to Kingwood was with a tailwind which helped me get my average speed up to 14.4 mph and hold it there until I was back in Kingwood. I overdressed wering a long sleeve thermal jersey when a lighter one would’ve probably been enough. The wind jacket helped. After about 16 minutes into the ride body heat kicked in. I braved the chill at the start by not wearing leg warmers.

Weather during the ride: start 67 degrees, 88% humidity, dew point 63, cloudy/fog, wind NW 6 mph; finish 72 degrees, 81% humidity, dew point 66, cloudy, wind N 10 mph.

I reclaimed the Strava Local Legend on Kris Spraggins Memorial Route after losing it a week or so ago and set the PR on Kris Spraggins Memorial Route (2:31) at the same time. I didn’t think i was going that fast.

Gear usage from my AXS.SRAM.com ride report.

3-27-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Time
3-27-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Time
3-27-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Distance
3-27-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Distance
3-27-2023 SRAM Component Summary Avg Power in Gear
3-27-2023 SRAM Component Summary Avg Power in Gear
3-27-2023 Strava Ride Summary Porter-Woodbranch-Valley Ranch
3-27-2023 Strava Ride Summary Porter-Woodbranch-Valley Ranch

Texas Bicycling Adventures 3/26/2023

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Rare real estate steal: Will Dallas save 282-acre oasis from Fairfield State Park’s fate?

By Sharon Grigsby | www.dallasnews.com

Developer is ready to donate the last slice of Hill Country left in southwest Dallas. Let’s not dilly-dally.

Dallas must not miss its shot at a rare real estate steal — the chance to acquire, at virtually no cost, a huge hidden gem of green space in the city’s southwest corner.

The situation involving this Mountain Creek property is uncomfortably similar to that of Fairfield State Park, which recently closed after Texas leaders failed to strike an agreement with its private landowner.

Although Dallas seems poised to get its deal done right, the clock is ticking.

“This is a great opportunity for the city to preserve a fast-disappearing kind of natural space,” said John Jenkins, Dallas Park and Recreation Department director. “In this case, donated land to serve a growing part of the city.”

At stake is the 282-acre Big Cedar Wilderness, just …

Ride for West: Temple cyclist keeps memories of blast victims alive with annual trek

BY DAVID STONE | kdhnews.com

t’s been nearly 10 years since a grain elevator explosion rocked the Central Texas city of West, but a Temple cyclist is keeping memories of the 15 people lost in the disaster alive through an annual bicycle pilgrimage.

Danny McDonald starts his annual journey at Central Fire Station in downtown Temple, and heads north along the Interstate 35 service road. …

‘We are absolutely out of gear right now’: Sweetwater’s Rattlesnake Gravel Grind to raise money for Nolan County VFD’s

by: Annabelle Tuggle | www.bigcountryhomepage.com

SWEETWATER, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Sweetwater residents are preparing for this weekend’s Rattlesnake Gravel Grind – a bike race fundraiser to raise money for the five Nolan County Volunteer Fire Departments. The number of participants has already doubled before the second annual fundraiser has even begun.

In the first year, more than 100 participants raised $30,000. Now with more than 200 participants, Lake Sweetwater VFD’s fire chief Pete Gizzi shared that they hope to raise more money during a time when it is needed the most. …

Rattlesnake Gravel Grind raising money for Nolan County Volunteer Fire Departments

by Tyler Greene | ktxs.com

SWEETWATER, Texas — The Rattlesnake Gravel Grind in Sweetwater is much more than just another bike race, it’s a chance for the community to help every Volunteer Fire Department in Nolan County.

You can just ask David King, one of the co-founders of the event, who knows firsthand just how much help those stations need.

“My dad’s been a volunteer fire department with two different volunteer departments my whole life. So, they are near and dear to my heart and I’m a member of the Lake Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Department and they’re one of the ones that we’re raising money for.”

The race is 110 miles long and in 2022 saw 144 people join, however, King …

Bike riding and the lily patch landing

By RAY SPITZENBERGER | www.journal-spectator.com

When the weather is nice, you see adults as well as kids riding bicycles in our neighborhood. In fact, you’re likely to see an entire family riding together on their bikes.

This was not the case in the 1940s, when around age 10 or 11, I got my first and only bicycle. While adults’ riding bicycles was very common in other countries in the 1940s, in the United States, bicycles were usually made for and ridden by kids. Adults preferred cars and horseback in those days.

Some historians of trivia say that the bicycle was invented by a German in 1817; others say a Frenchman in 1790, but neither device was like the modern bike.

Karl von Drais’ (the German’s) bike had no pedals, a wooden frame, wooden wheels with an iron rim and …

Southern Tier 2023

By Sharon Greenwood | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 21: Fort Hancock to Van Horn, TX: Keeping Pace

Saturday March 25, 2023, 74 miles (119 km) – Total so far: 1,069 miles (1,720 km) No pulling tent stakes this morning. 38° at 7:30 when we depart Fort Hancock riding backroads past goat and sheep farms one mile from the border. Stopping to peel a layer, some other riders catch up to Karen and I for a group pic. We enter the fairly clean shoulder of Interstate 10, then exit and ride the frontage road to Sierra Blanco at mile 40 for a rest and water stop at the van. The west wind is picking up and we enjoy a great ride into Van Horn. The climbs were gentle and the descents fun. My body is healing and I’m riding much stronger; able to (almost) keep pace with Karen. We are camping at the Van Horn RV Park. My turn to cook for the group with Harris. It’s “clean out the coolers” night so we presented a smorgasbord of leftovers: stroganoff, lasagna, burgers, grilled cheese (from leftover Italian bread), and fresh refried beans with tomatoes & guacamole and salad. Everyone enjoyed it almost as much as the ice cream dessert.

Day 22: Van Horn to Marfa, TX: Lonely Places

Sunday March 26, 2023, 74 miles (119 km) – Total so far: 1,144 miles (1,841 km) Early cold wake-up since I needed to get the coffee on by 6:30. Rolled and stretched leg muscles in warm bathroom at 5:45. It’s darker in the morning with the switch to Central Time Zone. On bikes at 8:00 and 34°. Passed pecan trees with icicles. Brrrrr. But soon the sun rose and we were peeling a layer off. Once leaving Van Horn, the Mexican mountains begin to get smaller with tabletops, then disappear completely. There’s not much out here; a few trailer homes miles apart. A painted sign on an abandoned building reads, “Let Lonely Places Stay Lonely”. Perhaps they like it this way; their own private paradise. We ride in …

Cycling State Competition Special Olympics Texas

sotx.givepulse.com

Friday, May 19th from 4:00pm to Saturday, May 20th, 2023 6:00pm The 2023 Cycling Event will be at the Tree of Life Church- 5513 I-35, New Braunfels, TX 78132

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: Positions will most likely be the ones listed below. Task assignments may be given onsite. Position may require bending, kneeling, and/or lifting objects greater than 10 lbs.

AGE ELIGIBILITY FOR VOLUNTEERS 15 years and older can volunteer by themselves. 8-14 year olds must be accompanied by parent, guardian, or chaperone. If in a group, then there must be a 4:1 ratio of children/teens to adults. 7 years and younger are not given volunteer assignments but are welcomed and encouraged to be cheerleaders as long as they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone. …

Driver faces no charges after fatally striking bicyclist, police say

news4sanantonio.com

SAN ANTONIO – A man is dead after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle.

The incident happened at the 1300 block of General McMullen at around 9:30 p.m.

Police say that the man was riding his bicycle on a dark unlighted street and had no lights or reflectors on his bike. That’s when a vehicle struck the man. The driver claims he never saw the bicyclist.

The 58-year-old man died from his injuries.

Police say that no charges were filed against the driver.

Denton Bicycle Center

By Vanessa Bailey | dentonrc.com

Denton County had only 81,311 residents in 1971 when Dr. Joe Holland opened Denton Bicycle Center, touting the health benefits of cycling to patients, family and friends. More than 50 years later, his grandson, Joe Holland, is carrying on the family legacy, managing the little shop on Elm Street that continues to help Dentonites find their best ride.

“Riding a bicycle is a no-impact aerobic activity. It’s great for any age or for those who are just getting back into fitness,” Holland said. For someone just starting their cycling journey, Holland advises visiting the store to try bikes, asking questions, and evaluating why and how the bike will be used. “Anybody can go to a box store and get a bike, but I’d rather make sure that you get the right fit, not something you’re going to leave in the garage,” Holland said.

A quality bicycle is an investment. …

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